Does your visual brand consist of selfies, family photos and food snaps? Expand your social repertoire with these tips for an Instagram feed that stuns.

Let’s talk Instagram. Of all the platforms, Insta is the most visually-driven social channel, as well as one of the most popular for marketing, shopping and promotion. There’s tons of opportunity to reach and engage people … yet many people end up missing the benefits. 

Why?

It’s all about your visual brand. Let’s dig in.

The Purpose of Social

One of the great things about social media is the opportunity it gives us to reach people on a more personal, casual level. It shows potential clients a new side of you and allows you to connect with people in a new way. Maybe they’ll notice that you drink the same beer or share a love of French bulldogs. It’s the little things that make you relatable — and create your personal brand. And it’s those little things that can tip the scales in your favor.

Striving For Balance

Now, in order to create a powerful visual brand on Instagram, or any other platform for that matter, you need a good balance of content. That means you want some content that shows your professional side: studio headshots, your office/workspace, your team, you at work, etc. But you’ll also want some personal stuff: your family, your pets, vacations, and daily life. By showing the balance of work and life, the whole you, you’re giving people the chance to trust you as a professional and relate to you as a friend. You’re building trust on multiple levels. Plus you’re showing people enough of you to keep them engaged and interested.

That’s how you build a visual brand, baby. 

Curating Your Content

How do you achieve that balance in your visual brand? It all comes down the type and quality of your visuals.

Let’s break it down. Here are the main visual content types to attract clients … who become friends.

1. Studio Headshots

Traditional studio headshots are like your bread and butter. They’re your foundation. These images will project the most professional version of you. Use them when you have big professional news: promotions, career changes, awards, board appointments, etc.

2. Outdoor Headshots

Outdoor headshots are the stylized personal images that you sprinkle into your feed like confetti. These images show a more casual side of you, and they also capture you in the community you serve. Use them for regular marketing: a call to book, industry information worth sharing, interesting facts, tips, regular updates, etc.

3. Business Marketing

Business marketing shots capture you, your team and your space. They might include gorgeous images of your building, offices and exteriors signs, as well as shots of your team in the conference room or you working with a client in your office. Use these when you’re talking about your business brand: how you set yourself apart, your why, your team, etc.

4. Lifestyle Marketing

Lifestyle marketing is the most casual form of professional visuals. It can be captured anywhere, indoor or outdoor, where you feel comfortable and at ease. These images will capture you smiling, laughing and doing whatever it is you do in your leisure time. Use them to show people what your daily life looks like: personal messages, motivational/inspirational posts, daily content, etc. These are also great for launch announcements because they capture a lot of joy.

5. Candids

Candid visuals are non-professional images. They may show you as you’re out in the community, involved in a networking event, or interacting with colleagues. Use them to complement your lifestyle marketing and show your daily activity: updates, check-ins, meet-ups, etc.

Feeds We Love

Need to see these tips in action? Here are a few examples of feeds we love. Check them out for some inspiration … and show them a little love!

Amanda Benson, AskAmanda Consulting

Kim and Kathleen, Pinnacle Real Estate

Abi Levine, Emotional Intelligence Society

Rebecca Deluca, Keller Williams Realty

Robert Mickalson, EXP Realty

Karen Wainie, Love Your Life Wellness

Rachel Cosgrove, Results Fitness

About Lindsay’s Photography

With the mind of a businesswoman and the heart of an adventurer, Lindsay began to conceive of a different kind of Santa Clarita photography business. In her vision, stepping in front of the camera could be an empowering experience that gave her clients more than just a photograph — it would give people a new way of seeing themselves. With an eye for seeing the beauty in life and in others, Lindsay could use the camera to spread beauty.

About SchlickArt Photography and Video

SchlickArt, a boutique photo and video studio in Santa Clarita, started in March 2012 with the simple idea that empowerment creates a kind of beauty and authenticity that shines through every camera lens. Built on a philosophy — rather than a product, service or person — SchlickArt has rapidly evolved, meeting professional portraiture, business photo and business video needs as diverse as the community we capture. It’s the desire to take care of you, the client, that drives us at SchlickArt.